Public services across Portugal ground to a halt as unions staged a 24-hour strike on 22rd March 2012 against austerity measures agreed by the government in return for an international bailout. Garbage went uncollected, ports and schools closed, public transport was disrupted by the country’s second general strike in four months. The strike was against the change in the  labour laws that make it easier to fire workers, reduce holidays and cut layoff compensation, moves the government contends will revive the economy. It is also angry at government austerity measures such as the elimination of public employees’ Christmas and vacation bonuses — each roughly equivalent to a month’s pay — that aim to rein in the public deficit. Unlike the two previous general strikes held in November 2011 and November 2010, yesterday’s action did not have the backing of Portugal’s second-biggest union, the historically more moderate General Workers Union (UGT), which reached an agreement with the government over the labour law reforms.  The metros in Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city, were closed, forcing tens of thousands of commuters to find an alternative way to get to work or school. The majority of ports, including the port of Lisbon and Viana do Castelo in the north, were closed while garbage collection was halted across the country, according to CGTP. Hundreds of schools closed their doors throughout the country, according to the Fenprof teachers’ union. Demonstrations and rallies were held in 38 cities and towns across the country, including Lisbon, Oporto and Coimbra. Much of the strike passed peacefully, but a skirmish broke out between police and young activists who had organised their own march in one place.

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